President's condolence message on the demise of the Justice C. G. Weeramantry

President's condolence message on the demise of the Justice C. G.
Weeramantry

[Jan 07 2017]

MESSAGE

" I am deeply saddened by the demise of Justice C. G.
Weeramantry, an outstanding legal luminary of international fame.

The international community as well as the human
rights activists and peace-lovers around the world will never forget the
invaluable services rendered by Dr. Weeramantry as a Judge of the
International Court of Justice from 1991 to 2000 and the President of
the International Association of Lawyers against Nuclear Arms. This
eminent judge presided over many important cases before the ICJ,
including the case on the illegality of the use and threatened use of
nuclear weapons.

The nation, recognizing the great service of Dr.
Weeramantry, honoured, conferred with the highest national honour Sri
Lankabhimanya. We, as a nation, are grateful to Sri Lankabhimanya
Weeramantry for the expertise provided to us for upgrading the human
rights institutions in the country. His untimely death took place at a
time when Sri Lanka was seeking his expertise for further strengthening
its judicial mechanism. I have no hesitation to acknowledge that his
death is an irreparable loss to Sri Lanka.

I, on behalf of the government and people of Sri Lanka
and on my personal behalf, offer my deepest condolences to his family
and other close relations. May his soul Rest in Peace.